#10
Marius and Leopold, with their larger builds, took one side of the dining table, while my older sisters sat on the opposite side. Naturally, I ended up sitting at the head of the table.
Regina, who had run off to her room with a flushed face, reappeared ten minutes later, wearing a wide-brimmed hat pulled down low, even though we were indoors. She had applied light makeup and was dressed in a simple one-piece dress.
Alice raised an eyebrow at her appearance, but I couldn’t help but laugh quietly to myself. Regina had a striking and pure beauty that, even to another woman, seemed captivating and almost enchanting. She was also cheerful and full of laughter, making her the most popular among my sisters.
“Of course, seeing me makes you laugh, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all! I’m just happy because I saw Mr. Leo!”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m way better looking than Leo.”
“No way! Mr. Leo is the best!”
I gave Leopold, who smiled faintly at me, a thumbs-up. Alice awkwardly patted my head, her expression anything but natural.
“I followed her because I was worried about her being alone. I have no other intentions, so please don’t misunderstand.”
“Exactly. I’m close with the kid, so I was concerned. Besides, she’s also Alice and Regina’s sister.”
“You know my sister?”
At Regina’s question, Marius replied as if it should have been obvious.
“Didn’t you know? Alice has been helping us out.”
“…Marius’s last name is Chemelhoffen. Leopold’s is Baltrahein.”
At Alice’s explanation, Regina gasped softly. As her expression darkened, Leopold grew visibly restless.
“I didn’t intentionally hide it. It’s just that when I first met Regina, my arrival in the country hadn’t been officially announced, so I had no choice.”
“No, it’s my fault for not realizing it even after hearing your names.”
“Not at all. The blame lies with me for inadvertently deceiving you, so if you’re upset, please forgive me.”
Huh? The atmosphere between the two of them feels strange. They hadn’t been able to look each other in the eye since earlier.
Leopold kept glancing at me as he spoke, while Regina had her head lowered the whole time.
Now that I think about it, it’s odd that Regina, even at home, chose to wear a dress instead of something more casual. Is this my cue to step in?
“Mr. Leo, aren’t you hungry? You said you didn’t have a place to stay or money for food, right?”
At my question, Leopold’s eyes trembled violently. Regina asked in a flustered tone.
“You haven’t eaten?”
“Things just turned out that way. But you don’t have to prepare anything just for us.”
Marius glanced at Leopold and Regina before concluding,
“Just guide us to a good restaurant. I’ll pay for the meal.”
With that, everyone stood up to get ready to leave. I sidled up to Leopold and gestured for him to bend down.
When he lowered himself to meet my gaze, I whispered into his ear.
“Regina likes lilacs!”
With that hint, he should be able to win her over with a lilac bouquet, right? Regina held my hand tightly as we walked to the nearby restaurant.
I deliberately grabbed Leopold’s hand with my other hand, ensuring the two stayed close together.
Then, in a voice loud enough for Leopold to hear, I asked:
“Ubnie, isn’t Mr. Leo super handsome?”
“Do you like Mr. Leo, little one?”
She subtly observed Leopold. I stomped my feet, holding both their hands.
“Liliana thinks Mr. Leo is really cool. He’s tall, has the same black hair as me, and, and…”
I tilted my head skyward as if searching for inspiration and caught sight of Leopold’s shadowed face.
With the light and shadow playing on his features, he looked more like a statue than a person.
“Handsome!”
Leopold’s neck turned red as he blushed. Regina laughed softly, her tone bashful, but there was an undeniable tension between the two.
Leopold was visibly stiff because of her, while she maintained her usual composure but subtly seemed conscious of him.
How do I know this? Well, because I’ve often tagged along on Regina’s dates, gaining plenty of experience.
My second unnie, popular beyond measure, rarely gets flustered in front of men.
She doesn’t even care to read their reactions. Instead, she simply flashes her charming laugh, as if deciding whether to humor or dismiss them.
But now, Regina’s hand, holding mine, was slightly clammy with sweat.
‘This is a green light!’
I envisioned a future where Leopold became my Hyungbu.
It would minimize the risk of war breaking out, and Alice wouldn’t have to face tragic outcomes.
Leopold and Regina were a perfect match—both stunning individuals.
Plus, with Leopold’s unwavering devotion, as established in the original story, he wouldn’t do anything to make my second unnie cry.
We’d be a happy, harmonious family.
‘Would that make me an aunt now?’
Oh, what joy!
he thought of seeing a tiny, harmless baby made my heart race with excitement.
“Eeeeek!”
Half squealing, I dashed into the restaurant.
When Leopold tried to sit across from Regina, I pulled his hand, seating him right beside her.
Leaving the startled Leopold behind, I secured my spot next to Alice.
My eldest sister, noticing my actions, gave me a small flick on the forehead.
“Why?”
“Are you going to keep teasing Regina?”
“I’m not teasing!”
In any case, Regina and Leopold ended up sitting side by side.
Across from my younger unnie were my eldest sister, Marius, and me.
Marius, resting his chin on his hand, glanced at me thoughtfully before asking,
“Liliana, don’t you plan on playing Cupid for your eldest sister too?”
“Huh?”
Reflexively, I looked at Alice unnie. Her face had hardened as she glared at Marius.
What was this? Was there something between them that I didn’t know about?
Marius smiled faintly and handed me the menu.
“What do you want to eat? I’ll buy everything for you.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything.”
“Uncle, don’t you have no money? I eat a lot, you know. Are you sure you can handle it?”
At my words, he chuckled lightly, called over a passing waiter, and placed an order.
“Bring us one of everything on the menu, please.”
“What?”
I was startled and covered my mouth, but Marius raised his chin as if to show off and asked,
“See? I’m the best, right?”
I had no choice but to nod.
That “everything” Marius ordered also included the twelve desserts that my sisters wouldn’t let me eat.
***
Marius’s order of 54 dishes was canceled due to Alice’s objection.
However, thanks to Marius insisting that “the 12 desserts should be packed to go,” Lilliana’s sulking face brightened up again.
Leopold, as soon as the meat was served, cut it neatly with sword-master-level precision and exchanged plates with Regina.
“Oh my.”
Men showing her such kindness was a very familiar situation for Regina, but she gave a satisfied smile.
It was the first time, however, that a man as large and muscular as a lion-slayer was trembling nervously as he switched plates for her.
Afterward, he even cut the child’s portion of the kids’ menu for Liliana to eat, but since the portion was so small, Leopold couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
“Eat a lot.”
Leopold also had a much younger six-year-old cousin.
That kid ate twice as much as Lilliana and was much taller.
By comparison, Liliana, who was the same age, was so small and thin that even someone unrelated like him found it worrisome.
“Thank you for the food!”
Excited, Liliana speared the meat with her fork and popped it into her mouth with a “rawr.”
Her small feet dangled under the chair.
When Regina sipped her water and set her empty glass down, Leopold quickly refilled it.
“Lilliana, you should eat your vegetables too.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll eat them.”
Holding her breath, Liliana chewed on the asparagus.
Watching this out of the corner of his eye, Marius silently shook with laughter, trying to suppress it.
Then, while Alice wasn’t looking, he discreetly ate the carrots from Liliana’s plate. Liliana’s eyes sparkled in response.
“How about it? I’m the best, right?”
Marius said this with a wink, but Lilliana shook her head and let out a long sigh.
“Hah… unnie, I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Can you go alone?”
“Am I a baby? I’m all grown up.”
As Liliana stood up, Regina put down her utensils and rose as well.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Come on, I’m not a kid.”
When Lilliana left with Regina, Alice’s face, which had been warm and kind until now, instantly turned cold.
She put down her fork and knife, folded her arms on the table, and turned to Marius, who was seated on her right.
“You weren’t supposed to get close to our youngest.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I just greeted her purely out of affection for the little one.”
“Affection? From Marius von Chemelhoffen?”
The chill in Alice’s sharp gaze was no less potent than the frost in Marius’s eyes.
“You asked last time what you could offer me. Have you brought your answer?”
“Oh, of course. Alice Berchio, I won’t waste time on back-and-forth with you. The card I’m offering is my first and final proposal.”
“And what is that?”
“Well, your sister. Liliana’s health.”
Alice’s face immediately hardened.
Not many people knew about Lilliana’s health, so how had this man found out?
Marius, in a voice devoid of mischief but not overly heavy, drove the point home.
“You know she likely won’t make it past fifteen as things stand.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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